To Asa Gray 24 November [1856]
Summary
Variability of naturalised plants.
Distribution of Arctic/alpine plant species.
Limits to the northern range of plants.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Asa Gray |
| Date: | 24 Nov [1856] |
| Classmark: | Archives of the Gray Herbarium, Harvard University (5) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1999 |
From Asa Gray 4 November 1856
Summary
Outlines the ranges of northern U. S. species common to Europe. Hopes to investigate the resemblances between the floras of the north-eastern U. S. and western Europe. Discusses routes by which alpine plants appear to have reached U. S.
| Author: | Asa Gray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 4 Nov 1856 |
| Classmark: | DAR 165: 95 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1982 |
Matches: 4 hits
- … found to range northwards (see letter to Asa Gray, 12 October [1856] ). When he received …
- … wrote in the margin, ‘dele’. Letter to Asa Gray, 12 October [1856] , in which CD referred …
- … which the introduced species belonged (see letter to Asa Gray, 12 October [1856] ). A. …
- … Gray 1856a . See letter to Asa Gray, 12 October [1856] , n. 6. Gray refers to [J. D. …
To Samuel Birch 6 February [1856]
Summary
Is grateful for SB’s note and assistance. Will call upon him in London in a fortnight.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Samuel Birch |
| Date: | 6 Feb [1856] |
| Classmark: | British Museum (Department of the Middle East, correspondence 1826–67: 1492) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1829A |
To W. D. Fox 15 March [1856]
Summary
Believes WDF’s case of mongrel Scotch deerhound is very valuable for him.
Mentions his work on pigeons and chickens.
Fears sometimes he will break down: "My subject gets bigger and bigger".
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Darwin Fox |
| Date: | 15 Mar [1856] |
| Classmark: | Christ’s College Library, Cambridge (MS 53 Fox 97) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1843 |
From H. C. Watson 5 June 1856
Summary
Answers CD’s questions about plants common to U. S. and Britain and their distribution in Europe.
Variability of agrarian weeds.
| Author: | Hewett Cottrell Watson |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 5 June 1856 |
| Classmark: | DAR 181: 32 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1891 |
To Samuel Birch 8 April [1856]
Summary
His thanks for the extracts sent by SB.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Samuel Birch |
| Date: | 8 Apr [1856] |
| Classmark: | British Museum (Department of the Middle East, correspondence 1826–67: 1494) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1851A |
From Asa Gray 23 September 1856
Summary
Plants that are social in the U. S. but are not so in the Old World.
Distribution of U. S. species common to Europe.
Gives Theodor Engelmann’s opinion on the relative variability of indigenous and introduced plants and notes the effects of man’s settlement on the numbers and distribution of indigenous plants.
| Author: | Asa Gray |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 23 Sept 1856 |
| Classmark: | DAR 165: 94 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1959 |
To James Dwight Dana 21 December [1856]
Summary
Thanks for sending paper on geological development (Dana 1856). Discusses infertility of species. Discusses first part of Asa Gray’s paper (A. Gray 1856–7). Thanks for note on the Cave Rat. Discusses a new species of fossil cirripede, in the genus Chthamalus. Explains his interest in pigeon breeding.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | James Dwight Dana |
| Date: | 21 Dec [1856] |
| Classmark: | Catherine Barnes (dealer) (2003) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2020F |
From H. C. Watson [28 December 1856]
Summary
Notes on the comparative rarity of intermediate forms between species, and the varying relationships those forms may have to one or both species between which they are intermediate.
| Author: | Hewett Cottrell Watson |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [28 Dec 1856] |
| Classmark: | DAR 98: A15–18 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-2023 |
To John Edward Gray 14 January [1856]
Summary
Requests that JEG secure the assistance of Samuel Birch in regard to information about varieties of domesticated animals and plants in China. Encloses memorandum.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Edward Gray |
| Date: | 14 Jan [1856] |
| Classmark: | British Museum (Department of the Middle East, correspondence 1826–67: 1490, 1488) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1820A |
From Charles Lyell 1–2 May 1856
Summary
Urges CD to publish his theory with small part of data.
Corrects names of land shells on list of shells picked up at Down.
Discusses transport of Ancylus from one river-bed to another by water-beetle.
"I hear that when you & Hooker & Huxley & Wollaston got together you made light of all Species & grew more & more unorthodox."
Mentions discussion of old Atlantis by Oswald Heer.
Comments on Helix and Nanina.
Mentions beetle discovered with small bag of eggs of water-spider under wing.
Madeira evidence favours single species birth-place theory.
| Author: | Charles Lyell, 1st baronet |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | 1–2 May 1856 |
| Classmark: | DAR 205.3: 282 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1862 |
To P. H. Gosse 28 September [1856]
Summary
Thanks PHG for information about the bald-pate pigeon.
Will write to Richard Hill.
Can PHG remember any facts relevant to transport of animals and plants to distant islands?
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Philip Henry Gosse |
| Date: | 28 Sept 1856 |
| Classmark: | The British Library (Charnwood Autographs Vol. IV Add MS 70951: 316) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1962 |
To George Howard Darwin and W. E. Darwin 13 [November 1856]
Summary
Describes the funeral of Aunt Sarah [Elizabeth Wedgwood].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | William Erasmus Darwin; George Howard Darwin |
| Date: | 13 [Nov 1856] |
| Classmark: | DAR 210.6: 10 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1987 |
To C. J. F. Bunbury 21 April [1856]
Summary
CD writes on geographical distribution – "a grand game of chess with the world for a board".
Gives his hypothetical explanation why zoology of Cape [of Good Hope] is not so peculiar as its botany: it was once a group of islands – later united.
Tries hard to set forth the difficulties of his [species] theory.
Tells CJFB in confidence of his theory of the glacial epoch and its effect on plant distribution, such as identical species being found on summits of mountains in the tropics. Invites him to attack his "doctrine".
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Charles James Fox Bunbury, 8th baronet |
| Date: | 21 Apr [1856] |
| Classmark: | Suffolk Record Office, Bury St Edmunds (Bunbury Family Papers E18/700/1/9/6) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1856 |
To J. D. Hooker 11–12 November [1856]
Summary
CD relieved by JDH’s positive response to his MS.
CD continues observations on means of transport.
JDH’s Raoul Island paper [J. Linn. Soc. Lond. (Bot.) 22 (1857): 133–41], showing continuity of vegetation with New Zealand, best evidence yet of continental extension.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Joseph Dalton Hooker |
| Date: | 11–12 Nov [1856] |
| Classmark: | DAR 114: 181 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1986 |
To John Lubbock 12 [June 1856]
Summary
Smallpox in the village. Death of Joseph Parslow’s son.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | John Lubbock, 4th baronet and 1st Baron Avebury |
| Date: | 12 [June 1856] |
| Classmark: | DAR 263: 3 (EH 88206450) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1900 |
To T. H. Huxley 1 July [1856]
Summary
Asks for information on geographical distribution of ascidians; are any closely allied species or genera found in north and south temperate zones that do not have representatives in the tropics?
Answers some questions on [cirripede] antennae.
If THH ever sees a tree washed ashore, will he observe whether any earth is embedded between roots?
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Thomas Henry Huxley |
| Date: | 1 July [1856] |
| Classmark: | Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine Archives (Huxley 5: 175, 37–9) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1914 |
To Thomas Henry Huxley 2 April [1856]
Summary
Invitation to THH and wife to come to Down to meet H. C. Watson, T. V. Wollaston, and the Hookers.
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Thomas Henry Huxley |
| Date: | 2 Apr [1856] |
| Classmark: | Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine Archives (Huxley 5: 46) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1847 |
To S. P. Woodward 3 June [1856]
Summary
Comments on SPW’s book [Manual of Mollusca (1851–6)].
Mentions questions he has for SPW [see 1890].
| Author: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Addressee: | Samuel Pickworth Woodward |
| Date: | 3 June [1856] |
| Classmark: | American Philosophical Society (Mss.B.D25.129) |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1886 |
From Thomas Vernon Wollaston [February 1856]
Summary
Sends Madeira specimens, including frogs recently introduced into the island, and flourishing.
| Author: | Thomas Vernon Wollaston |
| Addressee: | Charles Robert Darwin |
| Date: | [Feb 1856] |
| Classmark: | DAR 205.3: 299 |
| Letter no: | DCP-LETT-1806 |
| letter | (35) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (26) |
| Gray, Asa | (3) |
| Watson, H. C. | (2) |
| Blyth, Edward | (1) |
| Harcourt, E. W. V. | (1) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (9) |
| Birch, Samuel | (2) |
| Darwin, W. E. | (2) |
| Fox, W. D. | (2) |
| Gosse, P. H. | (2) |
| Darwin, C. R. | (35) |
| Gray, Asa | (5) |
| Harcourt, E. W. V. | (3) |
| Birch, Samuel | (2) |
| Darwin, W. E. | (2) |
Lost in translation: From Auguste Forel, 12 November 1874
Summary
You receive a gift from your scientific hero Charles Darwin. It is a book that contains sections on your favourite topic—ants. If only you had paid attention when your mother tried to teach you English you might be able to read it. But you didn’t, and you…
Matches: 1 hits
- … You receive a gift from your scientific hero Charles Darwin. It is a book that contains sections …
Darwin in letters, 1874: A turbulent year
Summary
The year 1874 was one of consolidation, reflection, and turmoil for Darwin. He spent the early months working on second editions of Coral reefs and Descent of man; the rest of the year was mostly devoted to further research on insectivorous plants. A…
Matches: 1 hits
- … The year 1874 was one of consolidation, reflection, and turmoil for Darwin. He spent the early …
Darwin in letters, 1879: Tracing roots
Summary
Darwin spent a considerable part of 1879 in the eighteenth century. His journey back in time started when he decided to publish a biographical account of his grandfather Erasmus Darwin to accompany a translation of an essay on Erasmus’s evolutionary ideas…
Matches: 1 hits
- … There are summaries of all Darwin's letters from the year 1879 on this website. The full texts of …
Darwin’s hothouse and lists of hothouse plants
Summary
Darwin became increasingly involved in botanical experiments in the years after the publication of Origin. The building of a small hothouse - a heated greenhouse - early in 1863 greatly increased the range of plants that he could keep for scientific…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Towards the end of 1862, Darwin resolved to build a small hothouse at Down House, for …
1.2 George Richmond, marriage portrait
Summary
< Back to Introduction Few likenesses of Darwin in his youth survive, although more may once have existed. In a letter of 1873 an old Shrewsbury friend, Arthur Mostyn Owen, offered to send Darwin a watercolour sketch of him, painted many years…
Matches: 1 hits
- … < Back to Introduction Few likenesses of Darwin in his youth survive, although more …
Darwin in letters, 1862: A multiplicity of experiments
Summary
1862 was a particularly productive year for Darwin. This was not only the case in his published output (two botanical papers and a book on the pollination mechanisms of orchids), but more particularly in the extent and breadth of the botanical experiments…
Matches: 1 hits
- … As the sheer volume of his correspondence indicates, 1862 was a particularly productive year for …
Darwin's in letters, 1873: Animal or vegetable?
Summary
Having laboured for nearly five years on human evolution, sexual selection, and the expression of emotions, Darwin was able to devote 1873 almost exclusively to his beloved plants. He resumed work on the digestive powers of sundews and Venus fly traps, and…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Having laboured for nearly five years on human evolution, sexual selection, and the expression of …
Darwin in letters, 1881: Old friends and new admirers
Summary
In May 1881, Darwin, one of the best-known celebrities in England if not the world, began writing about all the eminent men he had met. He embarked on this task, which formed an addition to his autobiography, because he had nothing else to do. He had…
Matches: 1 hits
- … In May 1881, Darwin, one of the best-known celebrities in England if not the world, began …
Women’s scientific participation
Summary
Observers | Fieldwork | Experimentation | Editors and critics | Assistants Darwin’s correspondence helps bring to light a community of women who participated, often actively and routinely, in the nineteenth-century scientific community. Here is a…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Observers | Fieldwork | Experimentation | Editors and critics | Assistants …
German and Dutch photograph albums
Summary
Darwin Day 2018: To celebrate Darwin's 209th birthday, we present two lavishly produced albums of portrait photographs which Darwin received from continental admirers 141 years ago. These unusual gifts from Germany and the Netherlands are made…
Matches: 1 hits
- … In 1877, Charles Darwin was sent some unusual birthday presents: two lavishly …
Darwin in letters, 1875: Pulling strings
Summary
‘I am getting sick of insectivorous plants’, Darwin confessed in January 1875. He had worked on the subject intermittently since 1859, and had been steadily engaged on a book manuscript for nine months; January also saw the conclusion of a bitter dispute…
Matches: 1 hits
- … I am merely slaving over the sickening work of preparing new Editions …
Darwin in letters, 1878: Movement and sleep
Summary
In 1878, Darwin devoted most of his attention to the movements of plants. He investigated the growth pattern of roots and shoots, studying the function of specific organs in this process. Working closely with his son Francis, Darwin devised a series of…
Matches: 1 hits
- … I think we have proved that the sleep of plants is to lessen injury to leaves from radiation …
Darwin in letters, 1869: Forward on all fronts
Summary
At the start of 1869, Darwin was hard at work making changes and additions for a fifth edition of Origin. He may have resented the interruption to his work on sexual selection and human evolution, but he spent forty-six days on the task. Much of the…
Matches: 1 hits
- … At the start of 1869, Darwin was hard at work making changes and additions for a fifth edition of …
Darwin in letters, 1863: Quarrels at home, honours abroad
Summary
At the start of 1863, Charles Darwin was actively working on the manuscript of The variation of animals and plants under domestication, anticipating with excitement the construction of a hothouse to accommodate his increasingly varied botanical experiments…
Matches: 1 hits
- … At the start of 1863, Charles Darwin was actively working on the manuscript of The variation of …
The Lyell–Lubbock dispute
Summary
In May 1865 a dispute arose between John Lubbock and Charles Lyell when Lubbock, in his book Prehistoric times, accused Lyell of plagiarism. The dispute caused great dismay among many of their mutual scientific friends, some of whom took immediate action…
Matches: 1 hits
- … In May 1865 a dispute arose between John Lubbock and Charles Lyell when Lubbock, in his book …
Darwin in letters, 1872: Job done?
Summary
'My career’, Darwin wrote towards the end of 1872, 'is so nearly closed. . . What little more I can do, shall be chiefly new work’, and the tenor of his correspondence throughout the year is one of wistful reminiscence, coupled with a keen eye…
Matches: 1 hits
- … ‘My career’, Darwin wrote towards the end of 1872, ‘is so nearly closed. . . What little more I …
Darwin in letters, 1882: Nothing too great or too small
Summary
In 1882, Darwin reached his 74th year Earthworms had been published the previous October, and for the first time in decades he was not working on another book. He remained active in botanical research, however. Building on his recent studies in plant…
Matches: 1 hits
- … In 1882, Darwin reached his 74th year Earthworms had been published the previous October, and …
Diagrams and drawings in letters
Summary
Over 850 illustrations from the printed volumes of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin have been added to the online transcripts of the letters. The contents include maps, diagrams, drawings, sketches and photographs, covering geological, botanical,…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Over 850 illustrations from the printed volumes of The Correspondence of Charles Darwin have …
Darwin in letters, 1847-1850: Microscopes and barnacles
Summary
Darwin's study of barnacles, begun in 1844, took him eight years to complete. The correspondence reveals how his interest in a species found during the Beagle voyage developed into an investigation of the comparative anatomy of other cirripedes and…
Matches: 1 hits
- … Species theory In November 1845, Charles Darwin wrote to his friend and confidant Joseph …
Darwin’s queries on expression
Summary
When Darwin resumed systematic research on emotions around 1866, he began to collect observations more widely and composed a list of queries on human expression. A number of handwritten copies were sent out in 1867 (see, for example, letter to Fritz Muller…
Matches: 1 hits
- … When Darwin resumed systematic research on emotions around 1866, he began to collect observations …
